Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon gets physical with Winnipeg Jets center Bryan Little at the net during the first period at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Saturday, September 21, 2013. (Pioneer Press: Sherri LaRose-Chiglo)

Minnesota Wild's Marco Scandella, left, and Winnigeg Jets' Jerome Samson, right, go after the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

ST. PAUL, MN â€“ SEPTEMBER 11: Marco Scandella of the Minnesota Wild poses for his official headshot for the 2013-2014 season on September 11, 2013 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Andy King/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marco Scandella *** Local Caption *** Marco Scandella

ST. PAUL, MN â€“ SEPTEMBER 11: Jared Spurgeon of the Minnesota Wild poses for his official headshot for the 2013-2014 season on September 11, 2013 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Andy King/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jared Spurgeon *** Local Caption *** Jared Spurgeon

Marco Scandella has about 6 inches and 40 pounds on his Wild defensive partner, Jared Spurgeon.

But despite their physical differences, Scandella said, they play a similar game when they’re together.

Both Wild defensemen have taken advantage of coach Mike Yeo’s newfound desire to have blue liners jump into the rush, and it has led to scoring chances.

“Skating is one of my strong suits,” Scandella said. “I think I have to bring that more in my game. I have the ability to do that more, and when me and Spurgeon are playing well, we have the opportunity to get in the rush.”

Despite their strong play moving the puck, Yeo said it’s still the defensive play that has stuck out with the pair.

“Those guys, as impressive as their execution and their willingness to get up ice is, I thought that they defended really well (Friday night),” Yeo said. “I thought Marco had a really strong game. He skates well, he’s got a big, rangy stick, he separates guys and he’s been in good position.

“But the way that those guys can skate and move the puck, there’s not question that we want them involved in the offensive part of our game. When there’s an opportunity to get up ice, to beat a man, to get involved in the rush, we definitely want those guys part of that.”

Chad Graff joined the Pioneer Press in April of 2013 -- long enough to cover three straight Wild playoff exits at the hands of the Blackhawks -- after working for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Boston Globe. He's lived in California and Texas, but most recently spent a decade in New Hampshire. He watched New England fans celebrate seven championships in his time there, yet somehow his only sports allegiance lies with Nebraska football.

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